Melanie Hani's Page

Profile Information

Organisation / interest

Melanie Hani is a researcher at the Animation Academy Loughborough University. She investigates the effectiveness of the Animation process as a therapeutic, remedial and educational device for service users from statutory (health, education, social care, probationary services) and voluntary sector organisations, in particular with vulnerable, marginalised and socially excluded groups. Her work spanning 20 years has resulted in the development of a practical working model; The Good Hearts Model (GHM).

Her life’s work was celebrated by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace to mark those have made a significant contribution to national life. She has won the NHS innovation award, been commended by the Duke of Gloucester for her work with the bereaved and commended by Baroness Morris of Yardley for using animation to help children who are excluded from mainstream education. She has been awarded a community fellowship and after returning from working in an Eastern European orphanage and with children living in squalor, she found she had been named as one of the worlds most influential educators and included in the 2009 Marcus Who's Who in the world as a distinguished scholar, recognising the global impact of her work.

Melanie has been a mentor for professionals working in participatory practice (Artworks) and enjoys working in project management and editing. She has worked for such organisations as; the BBC, Redpath Productions, Tailwind Productions, Techniquest, Wrexham Arts Agency, Concept for Living and produces and supports films films and publications to educate and inform.

Melanie has been a committee member for Equality and Diversity and on the Quality Management Sub Committee (QMSC) at the University of Sunderland

She is founder of HEART (Healing Education Animation Research Therapy), a member of the Animation Academy, ASIFA (The International Animated Film Association (Association Internationale du Film d'Animation) and the SAS (Society for Animation Studies).